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Spoiler-Free Summary

Your Name. (2017) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 106 min · Japanese
JustWatch #575 174
Directed by
Makoto Shinkai

When the stars align, high school students Mitsuha and Taki discover they are inexplicably switching bodies. Living vastly different lives—he in Tokyo, she in a rural town—they begin leaving notes for each other to ease the strange occurrences. As they navigate each other's worlds and relationships, a heartfelt connection develops, leading them on a journey to understand the mysterious phenomenon and the profound bond they share across time and distance.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What it is about
  3. 3 Is it worth watching?
  4. 4 After you watch
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Your Name.
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Your Name. (2017)

Where can you watch Your Name.? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Spoiler-free summary · safe to read

What Is Your Name. About? (No Spoilers)

The plot of Your Name. (2017) without spoilers: what it is about, who it follows and where it takes place, told without the twists or the ending. Enough to decide whether it is your next watch, not enough to ruin it.

In a world where a fleeting comet streaks across the sky, two ordinary high‑school students awaken to an extraordinary phenomenon: they begin swapping bodies at seemingly random moments. Mitsuha, a lively teen from a quiet, mountainous town, finds herself thrust into the bustling rhythm of Tokyo, while Taki, a diligent city kid, is suddenly navigating the simple yet intimate routines of a rural community. The contrast between the neon‑lit streets and the serene, mist‑covered valleys creates a vivid backdrop that feels both magical and grounded.

As the swaps continue, the pair discover a clever way to stay connected—leaving handwritten notes for each other. These messages become their lifeline, turning everyday moments into a shared secret language that bridges the gap between their disparate lives. Through playful experiments, awkward misunderstandings, and quiet gestures, they begin to understand not just the mechanics of the body exchange, but also the subtle nuances of each other’s worlds. Their growing familiarity sparks a gentle curiosity that hints at something deeper than mere coincidence.

The film’s tone balances wistful romance with a soft, almost lyrical sense of wonder. Its visual palette shifts between the glittering, fast‑paced energy of the metropolis and the lingering calm of traditional countryside rituals, underscoring the characters’ emotional journey. Themes of time, longing, and the invisible threads that bind strangers together unfold with a delicate touch, inviting audiences to ponder how a simple wish—to become someone else, even for a moment—can open doors to unexpected connections. The story promises a heartfelt exploration of identity, destiny, and the quiet magic that can blossom when two souls, separated by distance, find a way to speak across the unseen spaces between them.

Last updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:22

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What to expect

Is Your Name. Worth Watching? What It Feels Like

Is it dark, sad, slow, intense or confusing? The mood of Your Name. (2017) in a few tags, without a word about how it ends. Each tag opens a list of movies that feel the same.

After you watch

Seen Your Name.? Read the Ending Explained

Once you have watched Your Name. (2017), come back for the full story: the plot summary with spoilers, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and what happens at the end, explained.

Movie threads

More Movies Like Your Name., by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Your Name. tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with Bittersweet Journeys of Fate and Connection like Your Name.

Stories where destiny intertwines lives, leaving a melancholy yet hopeful ache. Discover movies like Your Name. that blend fantasy and deep emotion. If you enjoyed the themes of destiny, memory, and a powerful, bittersweet connection across time, this collection of similar drama and romance stories is for you.

  • bittersweet
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • yearning
  • romantic
  • dreamlike
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: variable, building urgency
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often involve characters brought together by inexplicable forces, facing a race against time or circumstance to preserve their bond. The journey is defined by yearning and discovery, culminating in an ending that acknowledges loss while affirming the enduring power of their connection.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared emotional core—a mix of profound melancholy and heartfelt hope. They feature protagonists navigating impossible situations, driven by a deep, often supernatural bond, resulting in a viewing experience that is intensely moving and resonant.

Movies with Dreamlike Realities and Supernatural Bonds like Your Name.

Where magical phenomena reveal deeper truths about love, life, and memory. Find films similar to Your Name. that use magical elements to tell deep human stories. If you liked the body-swapping fantasy and the exploration of a powerful, otherworldly connection, these movies with supernatural romance and drama will captivate you.

  • dreamlike
  • whimsical
  • romantic
  • nostalgic
  • thought-provoking
  • magical
  • Tone: whimsical, melancholic, romantic
  • Pacing: variable, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves ordinary characters experiencing an extraordinary event that disrupts their reality. They must learn to navigate this new world, which ultimately leads to deep personal growth and an understanding of a larger, often emotional, truth about their lives and relationships.

Why they belong together: These films share a unique blend of whimsical fantasy and sincere drama. The supernatural element is not just a gimmick but a core mechanism for character development and exploring heavy themes, creating a specific vibe that is both enchanting and deeply thoughtful.

If you liked this

Movies Like Your Name.

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Every angle

Your Name. (2017) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Your Name. in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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